How and When to Safely and Effectively Use a Medical Injection Kit

Medical self-injection kits come in a variety of forms depending on your needs. It’s crucial to understand how to safely and effectively use a self-injection kit when the need arises. This article will cover the uses of medical injection kits and the steps you’ll need to take to safely use one. As a warning, it’s always necessary to consult with a licensed medical professional before using any injectable medication. 

What Are Medical Injection Kits, and What’s Included?

A medical injection kit is a form of a medical kit that includes an injectable drug. The purpose of these kits varies depending on the solution included, so you’ll need to be careful to purchase the right kit. They will have syringes for the injectable solution, and will typically include gloves, bandages, and any other necessary first-aid items with the dispensable medication. Injectable drugs use disposable needles, so there may be more than one needle in kits that are intended for more than a single dose. 

A kit will either include an autoinjector (also called an injection pen) or a traditional syringe. Autoinjectors are usually pre-filled and are intended as a quick and easy alternative to a syringe. If your syringes are not prefilled, the kit should also include a vial of the injectable solution to fill a syringe with before using one.

When Will I Need a Medical Injection Kit? 

Medical injection kits are needed for a variety of purposes. They can be used for localized anesthetic, insulin injection, and a variety of other medications which you may be prescribed or will suddenly require the use of. Injection kits that are prescribed to you by your doctor will include detailed instructions on their use. Other forms of medical injection kits which you either acquire without prescription or which you suddenly require the use of and have available should be used with extreme caution. 

Improper use of an injectable medication can be very dangerous and result in a variety of harmful side effects which may result in death. For these reasons, you must consult with a doctor before using any injectable medication. For situations in which you can’t contact a doctor or emergency services and must suddenly use an injection kit, along with the steps covered in the next section you must read through the specific pamphlet instructions in the kit and follow each step exactly. 

How Do I Use a Medical Injection Kit? 

Because a need may arise for you to use your kit at any time, it’s extremely important to understand how to use the kit and practice running through each procedure step-by-step. Depending on what’s included you’ll need to have an understanding of the drug’s active ingredients and appropriate dosing before use. This will be included in the kit with pamphlet instructions for the injectable drug.

Even if you’re experienced with using an injectable medication, it is advised to consult with a licensed medical professional prior to use. A doctor can explain all the steps necessary for using a syringe and any signs to look out for in the case of a sudden reaction or incorrect dosing or application. The following steps will cover a safe and effective process for using an injectable drug:

1. Thoroughly disinfect and wash your hands, and apply sterile gloves.
2. Confirm that you have the required supplies for the injection. 
3. Confirm that the syringe or autoinjector is prefilled.
4. If not filled, fill the syringe to the instructed quantity.  

• For this step, remove the cap from the syringe. If the vial is being used for multiple doses, notate the date and time of first opening the vial. Sanitize the rubber stopper in the vial with an alcohol swab. 
• Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with air before filling the injectable solution. You will need to fill the syringe with air up to the required dosage for the injectable solution. 
• Push the needle through the top of the vial and expel all air from the needle into the vial. Then, after all of the air is expelled, withdraw the required quantity of medication from the vial by tilting the vial upside down and pulling back on the syringe’s plunger.
• While still upside down, tap the syringe to push any air bubbles to the top of the syringe and push the plunger up to expel the trapped air. 

1. Locate and sterilize the injection site. 
2. Insert the syringe into the injection site. 
3. Inject the medication and remove the needle. 

Certain injection sites may be trickier than others for self-injection. You should always look up steps online with included images if available before injecting a medication. After removing the syringe from the injection site, apply pressure with a light piece of gauze or apply an adhesive bandage to the site. Monitor for any side effects and immediately call emergency services if any dangerous side effects develop. Following these steps carefully and making certain to confirm the process with your doctor, you can carefully use a medical injection kit for self-injection.